HRD ministry announces two years extension in PhD courses for women

Shillong: Human Resource Development Minister, Smriti Irani, has announced a two-year extension for women and disabled students to submit their thesis papers for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes. The ministry has relaxed the norms in order to encourage more participation of women and the disabled students in these higher education programmes.

The HRD minister, while attending a convocation ceremony at North Eastern Hill University, announced that women and disabled students enrolled in the PhD programmes will enjoy the benefit of eight years instead of six years to complete their thesis along with the maternity leave benefit and migration facilities.

“This will give impetus to increase participation in PhD programmes by women and differently-abled students," she said.

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What else Smriti Irani stated:

• Irani said that the government knows the problems faced by women due to which they often have to leave their aspirations and dreams.
• "The core of education will not be strengthened till such time that we propagate a more women centric aspect and having them as faculty members,” said the HRD minister.
• Smriti Irani stated that "The government of India has proposed in the forthcoming commission meeting of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to ensure that instead of two years, women and differently abled students should be given three years to submit their certification.”
• Irani said another proposal was also discussed with the UGC chairperson on Monday to provide maternity leave for women students without counting the leave period in the days of their study.